Getting Around in Guangzhou

One of the most cosmopolitan and prosperous cities in China, public transport in Guangzhou has had to adapt to the city and its population’s constant expansion. As a result, the public transport system is comprehensive, and expats should find getting around in Guangzhou to be easy and relatively trouble-free.

Public transport in Guangzhou

Guangzhou has an established public transport system consisting of the subway, buses and trains.

Expats planning on using public transport in Guangzhou on a regular basis should acquire a Yang Cheng Tong Card, which is a multi-purpose transit card that allows commuters to easily and conveniently transfer between different modes of transport, including buses, taxis, the subway and ferries. It is also accepted as payment at certain convenience stores.

Buses

Catching the bus is the cheapest method of getting around in Guangzhou. Passengers can pay with a transit card or with exact fare, although expats would need to know where they are going as few drivers can speak English, and bus stops are usually in Chinese.

The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system follows routes along isolated lanes as well as normal roads. The BRT network is often faster than normal buses and is useful for getting to inner-city areas not serviced by the subway.

Metro

Guangzhou has a comprehensive subway system connecting the city centre to the outer suburbs. The airport is also connected to the city via the Guangzhou Metro.

The easiest and cheapest way to ride the subway is to purchase a Yang Cheng Tong Card at a metro station, although it is also possible to buy individual tickets from vending machines at the stations. The metro is generally efficient, with English translations of signs and maps in many stations.

Trains

Train travel in Guangzhou is primarily used for travelling longer distances. It is possible to catch a train from East Railway Station to Hong Kong on trains operated as part of the Hong Kong MTR. The Guangzhou Railway Station, on the other hand, offers routes to cities such as Shenzhen and Beijing.

Taxis

Taxis in Guangzhou are affordable for short distances, but most drivers don’t speak English. Expat commuters should either show the driver a business card of somewhere near the place they want to go to or have the address written out in Chinese. Given the city’s size, it is often best to go to a landmark or intersection close to the final destination. Some drivers may get lost outside the areas they are familiar with.

Taxis are metered, and passengers should make sure they get a receipt for the trip in case there are any discrepancies. Some accept the Yang Cheng Tong card, but most drivers prefer cash. Taxis are colour coordinated, and the newer yellow ones are considered most reliable.

Driving in Guangzhou

Driving in Guangzhou is not quite free-for-all chaos but expats who want to drive in the city should consider it carefully. The congested traffic of China’s heavily populated cities is daunting and potentially dangerous for the uninitiated.

It is also difficult for foreigners to legally drive in the country. Their home driving licence or International Driver’s Permit (IDP) won’t be recognised in China, which means they will have to get a Chinese licence before they can drive.

Despite its size, road signs in Guangzhou are rarely translated to English, making it even more challenging for foreigners to get around the city.

Not only does the good public transport in Guangzhou mean that owning a car is often unnecessary, it is also possible to rent a car with a driver, a common practice in China.

Bicycles and scooters in Guangzhou

Scooters, including electric motorbikes, are a cheap and popular method of getting around Guangzhou and are even available in supermarkets. They can, however, be dangerous in Guangzhou’s chaotic traffic and are banned from the city centre along with motorcycles.

Unfortunately, cycling infrastructure in the city is lacking. Bicycles are often unsuitable for longer distances since they are not allowed on major roads, and cannot be ridden in the tunnels beneath the river or on bridges.

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